Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-07

history of the seminary and under the
ewes of its founders, so as to cover not
merely diversity as to mere form, but as
to substance of doctrine.
THE creed admits by its silence" he
land still more by its princl-
pie, as II legitimate inquiry, all that mas
been contended for by me or my asso-
ciates in The AndOUGr RcUicW and in
Progressive Orthodoxy and | offer this
as Il clear, complete, and full 1ustlicatlOn
against all the charges of the complain
ants"
Professor Harris was the next witness.
He said that when he and others were be
fore the board of visitors it was stated |
that there were some points in the creed
with which they found difficulty. An IN
Outstanding was reached that they should |
sign the creed with an explanatory state |
ment, and he did so and was indicted into |
office. When asked rs to probation after
death, his reply, in substance, was that he
recognized the liberty of clergymen ana OF
those who take this creed to the opinion
that there might be for those who do not
have the Gospel a probation after this life.
For, himself, he had not then reached a
definite conclusion concerning the mat
ter.
ARGUMENTS OF THE COMPLA1NANTS-DR
wELLMAN's SPEECH.
Rev. j. w. Wellman, ID. D., said that
the main question is not as to the truth or
falsity of certain theories, not as to the
truth or falsity of the new Andover theo-
logy, or progressive orthodoxy" but
whether professor of Andover support
ed by Andover funds, could under the
creed and statutes of Andover teach the
new theology or progressive orthodoxy"
| DR.. Wellman took up the charges in de-
tail, laying stress upon certain articles
| u xx-bi oh CHI
Dr. Wellinan argued, that he holds new
| idea of the Bible and one that Is not reCog
| nized in the creed of the Congregational
church or of any church. The new idea
sets forth that the Bible is but a vehicle of
revelation, and that it's value is not to be
Judged by the revelations it contains. The
creed declares the Word of God to be the
only perfect and infallibe rule OF faith,
and can his belief be consistent with that ?
The old idea is that the Bible is the true
Word of God, the new idea is that it is but
a vehicle of the Word, and tallible at
that"
DR.. Wellman maintained that the whole
tone of Prof Smyth's teachings was to
weaken Christian faith and cast Il sus-
pcicn on the Bible, and their writings
warranted the compliments in making
charges against the Andover professors,
which charges DR.. Wellman summarized
as follows: First, that as judged by those
writings Prof. Smyth does not believe in
any inspiration of the Scriptures that has
ever to his knowledge been defined. Sec
ond, he prof. Smyth) does not believe
that any special and immediate influence
of the Holy Spirit was vOuchsafed to the
sacred writers to aid them in writing the
word of God. Third, he does believe and
teach that the scriptures, in common with
all the words and deeds, the daily life and
conduct, the revelations, the teachings,
and the preaching of the sacred writers,
were the product of historic facts and
forces, and of their own spiritual life as
religious experience. Fourth, he believes
and teaches that their spiritual life, or in
the case OF the Apostles, Christian eXpe-
rience, though coming itself in greater
or less degree from the Holy Spirit which
enabled them to reveal Gods will and
truth to man, did not differ in kind from
the new and spiritual life granted to all
regenerate men. Fifth, he believes and
teaches that all revelations other than
Christ himself, coming to us as from God,
must present their credentials to
; Christs truth in our minds and hearts.
Sixth, he believes and teaches that
Christ, by his own example in amending
, and suspendlng portions of the ancient
, scriptures, teaches us to do the same
. that is, to apply Christian principles to
, all the lesser prophets and to disregard all
in them which is not consistent with that
principle as superseded by the new revela
ton. Seventh, he holds and teaches that
we can hardly believe that the truth re
f veaed by the Apostles had such absolute
+ purity rs it would have possessed had the
Apostles themselves been perfect beings
. Eighth, he maintains and inculcates the
new notion" that the Holy Scriptures
are vehicle of revelation, the perfection
of which vehicle is by no means implied
IN the value of the revelation. and that
/ christian faith is not necessarily com
. mltted to the infalhbility of the Bible"
: The compliments declare, DR.. WellmaI
vi mi " n
= ta-onize the Audover creed in that they
erect IA standard of truths and faith equa
t or superior TO that of the holy Scriptures
q and render it impossible that the Bib,
+ should be the only perfect rule of faitl
+ and practice" They are repugnant [,
: article I'd of the statutes of the associate
: foundation, which said that every profes
O sor shall be an orthodox and conssten
q Calvinist We are aware that Prof
:, Smyth now denies that he believes in uni
O versal salvation. But how long will h
| deny it lie is progressive. He prom
ses "a professor to oppose universal
.r ism. He violates that promise when h
T. teaches doctrine that leads to univer
:, salsm.
Y This affair, he said. had become scar
, dalous. Is AndOver to be made infamous
: Is her fame to be torn and trOdden in tn
4 dirt, and dragged in the wake of a giganti
r. breach of trust Wills are being change
If on account of this departure of Andove
rs lloLl JHe tIutH. Al lHlS non thdrlt
n Theodore Russell rose and asked ho'
lie large "A part of the $l,500,00O of the Al
fe dover endowment had been given With
g the past II years. This question was NJ
~ answered.
IN Dr. Wellman closed, and Rev. d
So Lamphear read an argument on behalf {
es the complainants, in support of the chars
nt regarding d "modal trinity The gst
il the argument on this head was that II pr
of gressive orthodoxy does not sufficient
es discriminate and indiyidualze the thr'
,h divine persons.
y, DIR. DEXTER's ARGUMENT.
re DR.. Henry NJ. Dexter, editor of II
,p- C0ngregdtiOHdliSt emphasized the ia
ne that this is not a trial for heresy; it is n
we a question as to the truth or falsity of al
he theological view or views held by the
lot spondent. The whole question resolv
les itself into this Has the respondent do
VI what he prpmiSpI N do Wa claim n